Heather Hayes

Why Ballet West’s ‘Nutcracker’ is so popular — even after 75 years

‘The Nutcracker’ has the unique ability of drawing new people to the world of ballet while, at the same time, keeping it interesting for those who have seen it many times before

By Heather Hayes

Entertainment

‘The Nutcracker’ was originally a flop. Here’s how it became a beloved Christmas tradition

It wasn’t until an American resurgence of the work a half-century later — led by Ballet West founder and Utah native Willam Christensen — that ‘The Nutcracker’ started to become a holiday tradition

By Heather Hayes

CROPPED_Ballet_West_in_George_Balanchine_s_Le_Chant_du_Rossignol.jpg

Entertainment

Theater review: Ballet West’s racially updated Balanchine piece is a feast for the senses

After painstaking efforts to rework Balanchine’s ‘Le Chant du Rossignol,’ Ballet West’s much-anticipated season premiere is finally revealed

By Heather Hayes

Entertainment

‘For Chinese Americans, it looks like an ugly stereotype’: Utah’s Ballet West gives Chinese-themed ballet a politically correct makeover

Here’s how Ballet West cleaned up a controversial ballet and made it ready for 21st-century audiences

By Heather Hayes

Entertainment

Theater review: Hale Centre Theatre’s ‘Cinderella’ looks good, sounds great and is a little awkward

HCT’s presentation of an updated “Cinderella” is a stunning array of glittering balls and glorious gown transformations complete with a beautifully executed Rodgers and Hammerstein score. Problem is, it tries a bit too hard to be hip.

By Heather Hayes

Entertainment

Hale Centre Theatre’s ‘Cinderella’ gives a heroine who does more than wait ‘for a rich guy to rescue her’

Can an empowered Cinderella resemble the gentle heroine of yesteryear? HCT attempts to strike a balance in their adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Cinderella,” running July 1-Sept. 7.

By Heather Hayes

(Left to right) Korianne Johnson (THS) as Katherine Blake and Bailee Johnson (THS) as Ellie Blake in Hale Centre Theatre's musical production of "Freaky Friday."

Entertainment

Theater review: Hale Centre Theatre’s ‘Freaky Friday’ musical a joyous take on the mother-daughter switcheroo

Bright and simple sets, catchy tunes and funny writing make this Disney musical a win.

By Heather Hayes

(Left to right) Scout Smith as Ellie Blake (MWF) and Bailee Morris (MWF) as Katherine Blake in Hale Centre Theatre's musical production of "Freaky Friday."

Entertainment

Hale Centre Theatre’s ‘Freaky Friday’ will have parents asking: Could I survive high school again?

Think your teen’s life is a cakewalk? Hale Center Theater hopes its upcoming musical production of “Freaky Friday” will make parents think again.

By Heather Hayes

Lucy White as Matilda and Aaron Ford as Miss Agatha Trunchbull in the Monday/Wednesday/Friday cast of Hale Centre Theatre's "Matilda."

Entertainment

Theater review: Hale Centre Theatre’s ‘Matilda’ celebrates a different kind of brat pack

HCT’s fun house fairy tale delivers big on Roald Dahl’s message that every child deserves to be celebrated and that bullying should never be “taken on the chin.”

By Heather Hayes

Dawn Dietlein as Miss Honey, left, Julia Buckner as Matilda and Danny Inkley as Miss Agatha Trunchbull in the Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday cast of Hale Centre Theatre's "Matilda."

Entertainment

In ‘Matilda,’ Hale Centre Theatre’s young cast proves that ‘even if you’re little, you can do a lot’

As HCT prepares to present more than 65 performances of “Matilda” over the next two months, the responsibility of carrying the show rests on some very slight shoulders.

By Heather Hayes

Artists of Ballet West in George Balanchine’s “Serenade,” which they will perform Nov. 3-11 alongside Resident Choreographer Nicolo Fonte’s new version of Willam Christensen’s “Carmina Burana.”

Entertainment

Fancy feat: Ballet West programming is a delicate dance

Is there such thing as a “perfect season?” Ballet West’s Adam Sklute discusses the perennial programming tug-of-war and how he meets the challenge.

By Heather Hayes

Ballet West performs the dress rehearsal of "Onegin" at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 4, 2019. "Onegin" is based on Alexander Pushkin’s passionate verse novel "Eugene Onegin."

Entertainment

Dance review: Ballet West’s ‘Onegin’ is a spicy cocktail of Russian emotions

Unlike many classical ballets, this captivating production centered not around fairies, evil sorcerers or handsome princes, but on Alexander Pushkin’s 19th century romantic-realist novel, “Eugene Onegin.”

By Heather Hayes

Katherine Lawrence and Christopher Ruud in "Waltz of the Flowers" from Ballet West's "The Nutcracker."

Entertainment

Meet the man keeping alive Utah’s ‘The Nutcracker’ obsession

Three Utah brothers brought “The Nutcracker” to wartime America. Over 70 years later, Bruce Caldwell watches over the original production to ensure it lives up to its legacy.

By Heather Hayes

Artists of Ballet West in "Emeralds" from George Balanchine's "Jewels."

Entertainment

Dance review: Sure, it’s sparkly, but Ballet West proves ‘Jewels’ is more than glitter

The plotless, three-movement ballet featuring gem-inspired costumes takes audiences on a tour of the art form.

By Heather Hayes

Jared Oaks is Ballet West's new music director, the youngest music director in the country for a top 10 ballet company.

Entertainment

Meet Ballet West’s new music conductor. He’s young, he’s from Utah and he’s a ‘risk-taker’

One of the nation’s youngest conductors of a major ballet company, newly appointed music director Jared Oaks will test his mettle during Ballet West’s “Jewels,” by George Balanchine.

By Heather Hayes

The Monday/Wednesday/Friday cast of Hale Centre Theatre's "The Scarlet Pimpernel."

Entertainment

Theater review: Utah’s favorite elusive aristocrat returns in HCT’s giddy, gaudy ‘Scarlet Pimpernel’

Catchy tunes may be as elusive as the Scarlet Pimpernel himself, but humor, opulence and adventure make up the difference in HCT’s latest production, which runs through Nov. 24.

By Heather Hayes

Quinn Allan Dietlein as Chauvelin, Keith McKay Evans as Percy Blakeney and Amy Shreeve Keeler as Marguerite in the Monday/Wednesday/Friday cast of Hale Centre Theatre's "The Scarlet Pimpernel."

Entertainment

He’s back! HCT’s favorite superhero, the Scarlet Pimpernel, is returning to Utah

While saving necks from the guillotine, no one can guess who’s behind the mask of the Scarlet Pimpernel a— not even his own wife.

By Heather Hayes